Mattress comprising support layer comprising a curved channel

ABSTRACT

A mattress comprising at least one support layer comprising at least one non-linear channel extending laterally from a first side to an opposite side, and a plurality of support members disposed in the channel. The mattress may comprise a comfort layer, such as a viscoelastic foam layer, above the support layer. A mattress assembly comprising the mattress and a mattress foundation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

Generally, the present disclosure relates to bedding, and, morespecifically, to a mattress comprising a support layer comprising acurved channel.

Description of the Related Art

Foam mattresses, such as viscoelastic or so-called “memory foam”mattresses, provide desirably high levels of firmness and support formany users. However, mattresses comprising only viscoelastic foam maylack sufficient support for some users. Also, mattresses comprising onlyviscoelastic foam may lack desired levels of support for certain regionsof a user's body. Alternatively or in addition, mattress comprisingsolid foam, including but not necessarily limited to viscoelastic foam,may retain a user's heat and may thus “sleep hot.” Heat retention in amattress is generally undesirable to a majority of users.

The present disclosure may address and/or at least reduce one or more ofthe problems identified above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in orderto provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. Thissummary is not an exhaustive overview of the disclosure. It is notintended to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure or todelineate the scope of the disclosure. Its sole purpose is to presentsome concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detaileddescription that is discussed later.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a mattresscomprising at least one support layer comprising at least one non-linearchannel extending laterally from a first side to an opposite side w, anda plurality of support members disposed in the channel.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a mattressassembly comprising a mattress comprising at least one support layercomprising at least one non-linear channel extending laterally from afirst side to an opposite side, and a plurality of support membersdisposed in the channel; and a mattress foundation disposed under themattress.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a mattress,comprising at least one support layer comprising at least one non-linearchannel extending laterally from a first side to an opposite side, and aplurality of support members disposed in the channel; and a viscoelasticfoam layer disposed above the support layer.

The present disclosure may provide for mattresses with improved comfortfor users reclining thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure may be understood by reference to the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a stylized top view of a mattress, in accordance withembodiments herein;

FIG. 2 illustrates a stylized side view of a mattress, in accordancewith embodiments herein;

FIG. 3 illustrates a stylized top sectional view of the mattress of FIG.2 along the line A-A′, in accordance with embodiments herein;

FIG. 4 illustrates a stylized side view of a mattress, in accordancewith embodiments herein;

FIG. 5 illustrates a stylized side view of a mattress, in accordancewith embodiments herein;

FIG. 6 illustrates a stylized top sectional view of the mattress of FIG.5 along the line B-B′, in accordance with embodiments herein;

FIG. 7 illustrates a stylized side view of a mattress, in accordancewith embodiments herein;

FIG. 8 illustrates a stylized top sectional view of the mattress of FIG.7 along the line C-C′, in accordance with embodiments herein;

FIG. 9 illustrates a stylized side view of a mattress, in accordancewith embodiments herein;

FIG. 10 illustrates a stylized side view of a mattress, in accordancewith embodiments herein;

FIG. 11 illustrates a stylized side view of a mattress assembly, inaccordance with embodiments herein; and

FIG. 12 illustrates a stylized side view depiction of the mattressfoundation of FIG. 11, in accordance with embodiments herein.

While the subject matter disclosed herein is susceptible to variousmodifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof havebeen shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described indetail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein ofspecific embodiments is not intended to limit the disclosure to theparticular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appendedclaims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are described below.In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementationare described in this specification. It will, of course, be appreciatedthat, in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerousimplementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve thedevelopers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effortmight be complex and time-consuming, but would be a routine undertakingfor those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of thisdisclosure.

The present subject matter will now be described with reference to theattached figures. Various structures, systems and devices areschematically depicted in the drawings for purposes of explanation onlyand to not obscure the present disclosure with details that are wellknown to those skilled in the art. Nevertheless, the attached drawingsare included to describe and explain illustrative examples of thepresent disclosure. The words and phrases used herein should beunderstood and interpreted to have a meaning consistent with theunderstanding of those words and phrases by those skilled in therelevant art. No special definition of a term or phrase, i.e., adefinition that is different from the ordinary and customary meaning asunderstood by those skilled in the art, is intended to be implied byconsistent usage of the term or phrase herein. To the extent that a termor phrase is intended to have a special meaning, i.e., a meaning otherthan that understood by skilled artisans, such a special definition willbe expressly set forth in the specification in a definitional mannerthat directly and unequivocally provides the special definition for theterm or phrase.

Embodiments herein are directed to mattresses comprising support layerscomprising a curved channel.

Turning to FIG. 1, a stylized top view of a mattress 100, in accordancewith embodiments herein, is illustrated. The mattress 100 has agenerally rectangular profile in top view, with opposed shorter sides103, 105 each having a dimension 101, and opposed longer sides 104, 106each having a dimension 102. Typically, the shorter sides 103, 105provide the head and foot ends, respectively, of the mattress 100, andthe longer sides 104, 106 provide the sides of the mattress 100.

FIG. 2 illustrates a stylized side view of the mattress 100, inaccordance with embodiments herein. The side view shows the longer side104.

The mattress 100 includes an support layer 120 comprising at least onenon-linear channel 122 extending laterally from a first side to anopposite side. By “non-linear” it is meant that the floor and theceiling of the channel as seen in side view are generally not in astraight line, e.g., floor and the ceiling of the channel as seen inside view may be curved. In some embodiments, the curvature of thechannel 122 may be a singular uniform curve, while in other embodiments,the curvature of the channel 122 may comprise a plurality of curves,which may or be uniform in some cases and non-uniform in other cases. Inthe exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the portion of the channel 122 nearthe middle of the mattress is higher than the portions of the channel122 near the head and foot ends, respectively.

The channel 122 may permit airflow laterally through the mattress 100,which may provide a reduction in heating of the mattress 100 and/orcooling to the mattress 100. This may reduce the tendency of known foammattresses to gather or retain increased temperatures, which may resultin a “sleep hot” characteristic.

The support layer 120 also comprises a plurality of support members 124disposed in the channel 122 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2, tubular foamsprings 124 a-124 h).

The support layer 120 may comprise a visco-elastic foam, anon-viscoelastic foam, or a polyurethane foam, among other materials. Inone embodiment, the support layer 120 comprises a non-viscoelastic foam.

A variety of support members may be included in the channel 122 in thesupport layer 120. For example, the support members may be metalsprings, plastic springs, air bladders, adjustable air bladders, orwater bladders, among others known to the person of ordinary skill inthe art. Particular support members included in the channel 122 in thesupport layer 120 will be described in more detail below.

The mattress 100 also comprises a comfort layer 130 disposed directlyabove the support layer 120. The comfort layer 130 may comprise anymaterial and/or assemblage of sublayers suitable for providing comfortto a user reclining on the mattress 100. In one embodiment, the comfortlayer 130 comprises a foam. In a particular embodiment, the comfortlayer 130 comprises a viscoelastic foam. For example, the viscoelasticfoam may have a density from about 25 kg/m³ to about 250 kg/m³, such asfrom about 50 kg/m³ to about 120 kg/m³. In an even more particularembodiment, the viscoelastic foam may have a density of about 80-85kg/m³. Alternatively or in addition, the viscoelastic foam may have ahardness from about 5 N to about 20 N, such as a hardness of about 10 N.Alternatively or in addition, the comfort layer 130 may include a basesublayer and a pillow-top sublayer.

The support layer 120 and the comfort layer 130 may be bonded togetherby any suitable adhesive. The support layer 120 and the comfort layer130 may be assembled using any process and/or equipment known in theart.

In other embodiments (not shown), the mattress 100 may include apolymeric material layer, such as a polyurethane layer, disposed underthe support layer 120. If included, the polymeric material layer maycomprise a foam (e.g., polyurethane foam) that may have any propertiessuitable for use in a base layer in a mattress. For example, thepolymeric material layer may comprise a polyurethane foam having adensity from about 10 kg/m³ to about 100 kg/m³. The polyurethane layermay be bonded to the support layer 120 by any suitable adhesive.

For the avoidance of doubt, and in accordance with practice before theUnited States Patent and Trademark Office, none of the present figuresis to scale.

Embodiments of the support layer 120 will be described, in more detail,with reference to FIGS. 3-6. In one embodiment, each of the supportmembers is selected from the group consisting of tubular foam springs124 a-124 e, foam spheres 424 (described below with reference to FIG.4), foam hemispheres (described below), and polygonal support members624 (described below with reference to FIGS. 5-6.

Tubular foam springs 124 a-124 e generally having a tubular resilientbody made of foam and forming an outer wall.

In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the channel 122 comprisesa plurality of tubular foam springs 124, of which only one of thetubular foam springs 124 a-124 h are visible in the side view depictedin FIG. 2.

Turning to FIG. 3, a sectional view taken along the line A-A′ in FIG. 2is shown. This sectional view looks down across the middle of thesupport layer 120. As shown, the channel 122 comprises sets of tubularfoam springs 124 a-124 h, appearing as rounded features, configuredwithin channel 122. The channel 122 may be formed from multiple supportlayer portions or by other techniques known to the person of ordinaryskill in the art.

In another embodiment, FIG. 4 illustrates a stylized side view of amattress 400. As shown in FIG. 4, the mattress 100 includes an supportlayer 420 comprising a channel 122 comprising a plurality of foamspheres 424 a-424 j. The foam spheres 424 may be arranged in setslaterally across the mattress 400, similarly to the sets of tubular foamsprings 124 a-124 h depicted in FIG. 3. In the side view of FIG. 4, onlya subset of the sets of foam spheres 424 a-424 j is visible in thechannel 122. In some embodiments, the spacing between the foam spheres424 may vary across the mattress 100. For example, a greaterconcentration of foam spheres 424 may be positioned in locations where agreater amount of support is desired, e.g., near shoulder regions, backregions, lower leg regions, and/or the like.

Each foam sphere 424 may comprise any known foam material. The foamspheres 424 a-424 j may provide relief to pressure points of a userreclining on the comfort layer 130 of the mattress 400.

Although FIG. 4 depicts foam spheres 424 a-424 j, in another embodiment,the support members may be a plurality of foam hemispheres (not shown),substantially the same as the foam spheres 424 a-424 j, differing inthat the foam hemispheres are each disposed with a flat surface againstthe bottom of the channel 122. In alternative embodiments, the elements424-a-424 j may be a combination of spheres and hemispheres.

Even though FIGS. 2-5 depict mattresses 100, 400 comprising only tubularfoam springs 124 or foam spheres 424, in embodiments, a mattressaccording to the present disclosure may comprise both tubular foamsprings and foam spheres and/or hemispheres. Tubular foam spring andfoam spheres/hemispheres may be mixed within one or more channels of ansupport layer 120 or 420, one or more channels may contain only one oftubular foam springs, foam spheres, or foam hemispheres, or both.

Although FIGS. 2-5 depict particular numbers of channels 122 or 422 andparticular numbers of tubular foam springs 124 or foam spheres 424, theperson of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the presentdisclosure will understand that variations in the number and sizes ofchannels and support members will be within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

Turning now to FIGS. 5-6, another embodiment of a mattress 500 inaccordance with embodiments herein is shown.

Many of the elements of the mattress 500 are identical to elements ofthe mattresses 100 and 400. Such identical elements will be given thesame reference numeral and will not be described further.

As shown in FIGS. 5-6, the support layer 120 of the mattress 500 may beconsidered to comprise at least a first zone and a second zone. Thedifferent zones may differ in ways that are differentially impactful onthe perceived support of the mattress 500 to a user reclining thereon.

As shown in FIG. 5, each zone contains a portion of the channel 122disposed laterally therein. Each of the first zone and the second zonehave a density of support member rows, by which is meant one or both of:(a) the length of each zone divided by the number of rows of supportmembers 624 per zone, or (b) a distance between neighboring supportmembers 624 in the zone. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, themattress 500 is a standard North American queen or king mattress with alength of 80″ (203 cm). A first zone (e.g., near the head end 103 of themattress 500) has a length of 30″ (76 cm) and a second zone (e.g., nearthe foot end 106 of the mattress 500) has a length of 50″ (127 cm). Inthe embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, the first zone comprises three rowsof support members 624 a-624 c, and the second zone comprises five rowsof support members 624 d-624 h. In both zones, the distance betweenneighboring channels is 4″ (10 cm). In this embodiment, accordingly, thefirst zone and the second zone have the same density of support memberrows under either definition, (a) about 10″/row or (b) about 4″ betweenneighboring rows.

FIG. 6, a top sectional view of the mattress 500 taken along line B-B′in FIG. 5, shows support members 624. The support members 624 may bepolygon-shaped, i.e., of a pentagon shape, a hexagon shape, a heptagonshape, etc. These support members 624 may be capable of providingsupport while providing sufficient flexibility such that comfort is alsoprovided.

FIG. 6 also shows that the first zone and the second zone may differ inthe number of support members 624 per row 624 a-624 h. The number ofsupport members 624 per row in each zone may be termed the “density ofsupport members” of the zone. For example, as depicted in FIG. 6, therows 624 a-624 c of the first zone may each contain five support members624, whereas the rows 624 d-624 h of the second zone may each containnine support members 624, i.e., the second zone has a greater density ofsupport members than the first zone. Consequently, the second zone maybe perceived by a user reclining on the mattress 500 as providinggreater support than the first zone. If the second zone is locatedproximal to the foot 106 of the mattress 500, the second zone may henceprovide greater support to the legs and/or lower back of the user thanthe first zone provides to the upper back and head of the user.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-6 is of course exemplary in the numberof rows 624 a-j in the support layer 120, the number of zones of thesupport layer 120, the number of support members 624 in the rows of thefirst zone, and the number of support members 624 in the second zone.These figures are also exemplary regarding any dimension of the channel122 and the support members 624. The person of ordinary skill in the artmay vary these and other parameters of the mattress 500 as a routinematter.

Turning now to FIGS. 7-8, an alternative embodiment of a mattress 700comprising a first zone and a second zone having differential impacts onperceived user support is depicted. The mattress 700 has many elementsidentical to elements of the mattresses 100, 400, and 500. Suchidentical elements will be given the same reference numeral and will notbe described further.

As shown in FIG. 7, the support layer 120 of mattress 700 may beconsidered to comprise at least a first zone and a second zone. Theexemplary mattress dimensions are the same as shown in FIG. 5. However,in contrast to the mattress 500 shown in FIG. 5, the first zone of themattress 700 has a density of support member rows of (a) about 10″/rowor (b) about 4″ between rows, whereas the second zone of the mattress700 has a channel density of (a) 50″ divided by six rows, or about8.33″/row or (b) about 3″ between rows. In other words, the mattress 700of FIG. 7 has a first zone having a first density of support member rowsand a second zone having a second density of support member rows,wherein the first density of support member rows differs from the seconddensity of support member rows.

FIG. 8 shows a top sectional view of the mattress 700 taken along lineC-C′ in FIG. 7. In FIG. 8, the first zone and the second zone have thesame number of tubular foam springs 124 per row 124 a-124 j.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-8 is of course exemplary in the numberof rows 124 a-124 i in the support layer 120, the number of rows in eachzone, the number of zones of the support layer 120, the number oftubular foam springs 824 in the channels 122 of the first zone, and thenumber of tubular foam springs 824 in the channels 122 of the secondzone. For example, the channel 122 may comprise three zones, with a headzone and a foot zone each having more support members than a median zonetherebetween. These figures are also exemplary regarding any dimensionof the channels 122 and the tubular foam springs 124. The person ofordinary skill in the art may vary these and other parameters of themattress 700 as a routine matter. Additionally, the tubular foam springs124 may be substituted by foam spheres 424 and/or springs 624, asdepicted and described in FIGS. 4-6, and vice versa.

In another embodiment, not shown, a mattress in accordance withembodiments herein may comprise a support layer 120 comprising a firstzone and a second zone, wherein the first zone has one or more rows ofsupport members at a first density of support member rows, and a firstdensity of support members in each row, and the second zone has one ormore rows of support members at a second density of support member rows,and a second density of support members in each row; wherein either thefirst density of support member rows differs from the second density ofsupport member rows; the first density of support members in each rowdiffers from the second density of support members in each row, or both.

FIGS. 2-8 have shown support layers 120 comprising a single channel 122.The depicted channel 122 has a single upward curve. FIGS. 9-10 depictexemplary embodiments of mattress 900 and 1000 that differ in numberand/or curvature of channels.

Turning to FIG. 9, a mattress 900 is depicted comprising a wave-likechannel 922. Disposed in the wave-like channel 922 is a plurality ofrows of support members, such as tubular foam springs 124 a-124 h asdescribed above.

In some embodiments, the wave-like channel 922 may resemble a sinusoidalwave, wherein the mattress may comprise a portion of a period, a fullperiod, or a plurality of periods of the sinusoidal wave. Moreover, thefrequency of the sinusoidal wave may vary across the mattress 900. Forexample, an increase in the frequency of the sinusoidal wave of thewave-like channel 922 may be positioned in locations where a greateramount of support is desired, e.g., near shoulder regions, back regions,lower leg regions, and/or the like.

FIG. 10 depicts a mattress 1000 comprising a curved channel 122 and twoadditional partial channels 1022 a and 1022 b. Each of the curvedchannel 122, the partial channel 1022 a, and the partial channel 1022 bcomprise at least one row of support members, such as tubular foamsprings 124 a-124 j as described above. For example, an increased numberof partial channels 1022 may be positioned in locations where a greateramount of support is desired, e.g., near shoulder regions, back regions,lower leg regions, and/or the like.

The embodiments depicted in FIGS. 9-10 are exemplary. In embodimentswherein a support layer 120 comprises a wave-like channel 922, the wavemay comprise a different number of wavelengths (herein referring topeak-to-peak distances) than the two wavelengths depicted in FIG. 9.Alternatively or in addition, if the wave comprises two or morewavelengths, the peak-to-peak distance may vary between wavelengths,i.e., some peaks may be closer to or further from one or moreneighboring peaks than is true for other peaks. Other routine variationswill be apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art having thebenefit of the present disclosure.

In embodiments wherein the support layer 120 comprises one or morepartial channels 1022, the number of partial channels 1022, theirlocations, and/or the number of rows of support members in each partialchannel 1022 may vary. Partial channels 1022 as depicted in FIG. 10 maybe combined in a support layer 120 with a wave-like channel 922 asdepicted in FIG. 9. In other embodiments, not shown, a support layer 120may comprise only partial channels 1022.

In addition, though FIGS. 2-10 depict channels 122, 922, and 1022 ashaving a constant height, any channel 122, 922, or 1022 may includevariations in height across either horizontal dimension (not shown).Alternatively or in addition, any support member(s) described herein maybe used in any channel 122, 922, or 1022.

A variety of support layers 120 have been depicted in FIGS. 2-10. Inembodiments wherein a mattress comprises one support layer, the supportlayer may be any one of the support layers 120, along with others notdepicted but described herein. In such embodiments, a single supportlayer is simultaneously the bottom-most support layer and the uppermostsupport layer.

In embodiments wherein a mattress comprises two, three, or more supportlayers, each support layer may comprise any one of the support layers120, along with others not depicted but described herein. Any one of thesupport layers 120, along with others not depicted but described hereinmay be duplicated in a mattress comprising two or more support layers.Alternatively or in addition, in any mattress comprising two or moresupport layers, any one of the support layers 120, along with others notdepicted but described herein. may be arranged in any order, i.e., anysupport layer 120, or any other not depicted but described herein, maybe the bottom-most support layer, the uppermost support layer, or at anyposition between the bottom-most and uppermost support layers.

In another embodiment, as depicted in stylized side view in FIG. 11, thepresent disclosure relates to a mattress assembly 1100, in accordancewith embodiments herein. The mattress assembly 1100 comprises a mattressas described above, such as a mattress 100 comprising a channel 122comprising at least one support member, e.g., rows of tubular foamsprings 124 a-124 h. The depicted mattress 100 may further comprise apolyurethane layer 110 below the support layer 120.

The mattress assembly 1100 also comprises a mattress foundation 1140disposed under the mattress 100. The mattress foundation 1140 maycomprise any structure known to the person of ordinary skill in the artfor the support of mattresses. Exemplary mattress foundations 1140include, but are not limited to, box springs; metal frames; andadjustable supports, including electromechanically adjustable supports,among others.

FIG. 12 illustrates a stylized depiction of the mattress foundation ofFIG. 11, in accordance with embodiments herein. In some embodiments, themattress foundation may be comprised of two or more sections. Forexample, the mattress foundation 1140 may comprise a 1^(st) section 1240a, a 2^(nd) second section 1240 b, a 3^(rd) section 1240 c, and a 4^(th)section 1240 d. Some or all of the sections 1240 a-1240 d may beconfigured to move independently, as indicated by the dotted lines overthe 1^(st) section 1240 a, the 3^(rd) section 1240 c, and the 4^(th)section 1240 d.

Each of the 1^(st) through 4^(th) section 1240 a-1240 d may be connectedto pivot points to allow for independent movements. For example, the1^(st) section 1240 a and the 2^(nd) section 1240 b may be movablycoupled to a 1^(st) pivot point 1210 a. In one embodiment, the 1^(st)section may move up and down about the 1^(st) pivot point 1210 a. The1^(st) section 1240 a may be at the head of a bed.

The 2^(nd) section 1240 b and the 3^(rd) section may be movably coupledto a 2^(nd) pivot point 1210 b. In one embodiment, the 3^(rd) sectionmay move up and down about the 2^(nd) pivot point 1210 b.

The 3^(rd) section 1240 c and the 4^(th) section 1240 d may be movablycoupled to a 3rd pivot point 1210 c. In one embodiment, the 4^(th)section may move up and down about the 3^(rd) pivot point 1210 c. In oneembodiment, the 4^(th) section may be at the foot of a bed. Thoseskilled in the art would appreciate that additional sections and/orpivot points may be implemented onto the mattress foundation 1140 andremain with the spirit and scope of embodiments herein.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as thedisclosure may be modified and practiced in different but equivalentmanners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of theteachings herein. For example, the process steps set forth above may beperformed in a different order. Furthermore, no limitations are intendedto the details of construction or design herein shown, other than asdescribed in the claims below. It is, therefore, evident that theparticular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified andall such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of thedisclosure. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth inthe claims below.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mattress, comprising: at least one supportlayer comprising at least one non-linear channel extending laterallyfrom a first side to an opposite side, and a plurality of supportmembers disposed in the channel.
 2. The mattress of claim 1, furthercomprising a comfort layer disposed above the support layer.
 3. Themattress of claim 2, wherein the comfort layer comprises a foam.
 4. Themattress of claim 3, wherein the foam is a viscoelastic foam.
 5. Themattress of claim 1, wherein each of the support members is selectedfrom the group consisting of tubular foam springs, foam spheres, or foamhemispheres.
 6. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the support layercomprises a non-viscoelastic foam.
 7. The mattress of claim 1, furthercomprising a polyurethane layer disposed below the support layer.
 8. Amattress assembly, comprising: a mattress, comprising: at least onesupport layer comprising at least one non-linear channel extendinglaterally from a first side to an opposite side, and a plurality ofsupport members disposed in the channel; and a mattress foundationdisposed under the mattress.
 9. The mattress assembly of claim 8,further comprising a comfort layer disposed above the support layer. 10.The mattress assembly of claim 9, wherein the comfort layer comprises afoam.
 11. The mattress assembly of claim 10, wherein the foam is aviscoelastic foam.
 12. The mattress assembly of claim 8, wherein each ofthe support members is selected from the group consisting of tubularfoam springs, foam spheres, or foam hemispheres.
 13. The mattressassembly of claim 8, wherein the support layer comprises anon-viscoelastic foam.
 14. The mattress assembly of claim 8, furthercomprising a polyurethane layer disposed below the support layer.
 15. Amattress, comprising: at least one support layer comprising at least onenon-linear channel extending laterally from a first side to an oppositeside, and a plurality of support members disposed in the channel; and aviscoelastic foam layer disposed above the support layer.
 16. Themattress of claim 15, wherein each of the support members is selectedfrom the group consisting of tubular foam springs, foam spheres, or foamhemispheres.
 17. The mattress of claim 16, wherein each of the supportmembers is a tubular foam spring.
 18. The mattress of claim 16, whereineach of the support members is a foam sphere or a foam hemisphere. 19.The mattress of claim 15, wherein the support layer comprises anon-viscoelastic foam.
 20. The mattress of claim 15, further comprisinga polyurethane layer disposed below the support layer.